AC
- Short for Alternating Current, AC is an electrical current that reverses or alternates its direction of flow. On May 1, 1988, Nikola Tesla patented the rotating field motor and
then sold the rights to George Westinghouse. This invention helped create and transmit AC power, and today is still the
process for generating and distributing AC power.
AC power has many advantages over DC including the ability to transmit power effectively and allows for basic electric devices to be made easily. A standard wall outlet in the United States is 110 volts transmitting currents at 60 hertz per second. European power systems use 220 volts alternating current at
50 Hz.
Although most computers plug into an AC power outlet, when turned on that power, often referred to as dirty power converts into a direct current (DC) by your computer power supply. The direct current is a much lower voltage and helps keep the sensitive components in your computer protected.
- Short for Anonymous Coward, AC is commonly used in message boards and newsgroups for users who do not want to reveal their identity.
- A Linux command. See the ac command page for further information.
- Short for Asheron's Call, AC is a name of a MMORPG developed by Microsoft.
Also see: AC adapter, DC, Impedance, Power definitions
